NewsLink, Dec. 30, 2020
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Coronavirus Information

BCM COVID-19 vaccinations commence!

Baylor received its first allocation of the COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna) and is now vaccinating employees and learners who fall in the 1A category, to be followed soon after by 1B employees and patients. Please complete this survey to indicate your interest in receiving vaccination when eligible by state guidelines. If you are eligible, you will receive an email directed specifically to you. Susanne Savely, pictured here, safety officer in Environmental Safety, was the first to receive the BCM vaccine, administered by Lisa Icard, chief quality nurse. Many others at Baylor have received vaccines through our affiliate hospitals.

Vaccine social media campaign

Getting your COVID vaccine? Take a photo of yourself getting the vaccine (be sure to ask the person administering the vaccine if it is ok) or share an "after" photo showing the bandage on your arm, then post on your social media using the hashtags #StickItToCOVID and #BCMCares and tag @BCMHouston. No social media? Send to Anna Kiappes to share from Baylor social media accounts.

Thank you, Baylor experts!

Thank you to our Baylor College of Medicine faculty who have kept the public informed about COVID-19 by sharing their expertise through the media. See highlights in this video.

Awards and Recognitions

Hodges receives foundation grant

Dr. H. Courtney Hodges, assistant professor of molecular and cellular biology, has received a $230,000 grant from the Mark Foundation, along with Dr. Nate Hathaway of the University of North Carolina, for their work to develop new types of chemicals to restore genetic circuits that are frequently disrupted in cancer.

Moran honored by alumni group

Dr. Nancy Moran, assistant professor of pediatrics - nutrition, has received a 2020 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Alumni Association in recognition of her career achievements. She conducts research on the role dietary components in fruits and vegetables play in human health at the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor and Texas Children's Hospital.

Zheng, Wang earn grant for Alzheimer's research

Dr. Hui Zheng, professor and director of the Huffington Center on Aging, has received a five-year, $8 million NIH grant with co-investigator Dr. Jin Wang, associate professor of pharmacology and chemical biology, to support their work on an Alzheimer's disease therapy. Their research centers on epoxy fatty acids as a protection against the disease. Read more on their research.

Events

DocTalk on bariatric surgery

DocTalk resumes on Thursday, Jan. 7, noon – 1 p.m., with a presentation on bariatric surgery. Experts Dr. Samer Gamil Mattar, Dr. Juliet Holder-Haynes and Dr. Julie-Ann Lloyd will provide a general overview of services provided in Bariatric Surgery and address some FAQs surrounding the procedures. Join via Zoom; meeting ID: 626 887 455.

Dismantling structural racism

Members of the BCM community are invited to attend a virtual lecture on "Dismantling Structural Racism," Jan. 15 at noon, by Dr. Shannon Guillot-Wright and Dr. Premal Patel, both of the University of Texas Medical Branch. The lecture is part of UTMB’s Provost's Lecture Series and is open to BCM through our involvement in the Texas Medical Schools’ Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

College News

Happy New Year!

The College will be closed on Friday, Jan. 1, for New Year's Day. Have a relaxing and restful holiday, and as you plan for the annual tradition of New Year's resolutions, consider setting meaningful goals for the year that will focus on positivity. Read more from Dr. Asim Shah, and more in Dr. James McDeavitt's weekly message. Happy New Year to all!

Volunteer science fair judges needed

Judges are needed for middle school science fairs Jan. 8 – 14 at Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan and Jan. 11 – 15 at Baylor College of Medicine Biotech Academy at Rusk. Volunteer judges should have first-hand experience in developing and conducting scientific or engineering research. Please commit to a minimum of one hour, or judging about six projects. Sign up online. Judging will be conducted entirely online. For questions, email Beatriz Perez-Sweeney at Ryan or Katherine Harris at Rusk.

Integrity Hotline information

BCM supports and promotes a culture of disclosure where open and honest communications are the expectation not the exception. The BCM Integrity Hotline is a reporting tool that can be used when an issue arises within your department, center, office or school. We encourage you to communicate the incident directly to your supervisor, management, faculty member, peer or physician in a timely manner. However, when that is not possible, anyone can submit a report, including anonymously, by phone toll free at 855-764-7292 or through the BCM Integrity Hotline website.

Policy updates

The Board of Trustees approved several new and revised institutional policies and procedures in 2020. See the full list and descriptions of each approved policy. Email Megan Monroe, director of policy governance, with any questions or concerns.

Clark Faculty Service Award deadline extended

The deadline for nominations for the 2021 Clark Faculty Service Award has been extended to Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. This prestigious, College-wide award recognizes faculty members whose exemplary service contributions have not been recognized previously through an institutional award from Baylor. Recipients represent their professions and the College’s mission, vision and values at the highest level. Visit the Clark Faculty Service Award website for full details and nominate a colleague today.

Apply to mentor in undergraduate research program

The Summer Undergraduate Research Training (SMART) program provides summer research experiences for undergraduates in a supportive and rigorous environment with supplemental educational activities. Faculty interested in mentoring an undergraduate student in their lab during the program from June 7 – Aug. 6, 2021, should complete this form by Jan. 11. The program may be held in person, virtually or a combination, depending on guidelines in place at the time.

Faculty in the News

Check out Baylor's news media mentions, including extensive COVID-19 coverage, in this week's Faculty in the News, and follow BCMHouston_News on Twitter to keep up with our experts in the media. Interested in science news? Read the latest in From the Labs.

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